State parks across the country, including 12 in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, are ringing in the new year with a First Day Hike.
The nationwide event is sponsored by America’s State Parks. Outings are scheduled Sunday and Monday.
2012 marks the 75th anniversary of Tennessee state parks, and Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau said the series of First Hikes is a fitting way to begin the various celebrations coming up this year.
“Following the old Gaelic tradition of ‘first footing,’ the First Hikes are meant to encourage all Tennesseans to hit the trail and get 2012 started on the right foot,” he said.
Georgia State Parks Director Becky Kelley adds that winter is a great time to go hiking because vistas normally hidden by foliage are revealed.